This autumn, Earth will experience a mini moon, an asteroid captured by its gravitational pull, staying from September 29 until November 25. The asteroid, measuring about 10 meters long, belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt and will not complete a full orbit around the Earth. This temporary moon serves as a fascinating example of celestial interactions, with scientists expecting its return in 2055.
Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, the lead researcher, explained how certain asteroids can approach Earth due to their relatively slow velocities—making them more susceptible to Earth’s gravitational influence. Under the right conditions, such as being close enough and moving slowly at about 2,200mph, asteroids can become temporary moons, influenced significantly by Earth's gravity.
The asteroid was discovered on August 7 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas), showcasing the importance of continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects. Although the mini moon will be small and dim, it remains within the brightness capacity of professional telescopes, ensuring that astronomers can study its behavior and trajectory for insights into such celestial phenomena.
This isn’t the first time Earth has had a mini moon, highlighting a history of temporary celestial companions. Researchers noted the intriguing nature of these events, with implications for understanding asteroids and their potential interactions with our planet's gravity. They expect this particular asteroid to return again in 2055, providing more opportunities for observation and study.
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